Strip performer is eBay high bidder for Elvis ring

By Jerry Fink

Saturday, July 4, 2009 | 8:13 p.m.

Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee, who performs at Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Casino on the Strip, was eBay’s high bidder this week for a ring designed by Elvis Presley.

It’s a heavy gold and diamond encrusted ring designed by Elvis for his close friend Marty Lacker, a former member of the Memphis Mafia and best man at Elvis’ wedding. The ring was made by Memphis jeweler Harry Levitch, who also created the wedding ring for Elvis’ bride, Priscilla.

Vallee paid $2,500 for the ring. He says he will use the ring as his wedding band for his 2010 wedding to fiancé Amanda Lasham.

Lacker presented this ring to his wife in the ‘70’s, a gift from the King. As Marty and Patsy Lacker tell the story, when they were married all the groom could afford was an inexpensive band for his bride. Marty, a close friend of Elvis since high school, once mentioned to Elvis that he was looking forward to the day when he could buy his wife a beautiful ring that he promised her so many years earlier. To Marty’s surprise, Elvis responded “That’s great, let’s design one for her and have it made.”

An hour later, sketchpad in hand, Lacker drew the ring according to Elvis’ suggestions and the design was set for this one of a kind, unusually wide and heavy gold ring with a dozen diamonds clustered on the top left and bottom right.

Although Elvis offered to pay for the ring, Lacker initially refused. But a week later, when repeatedly questioned by Elvis as to when the ring would be ready, Lacker reluctantly accepted a check from his friend, and commissioned the ring to be made by Elvis’ personal jeweler. The only condition on this gift was that Lacker would present the ring to Patsy in Elvis’ presence.

Within a couple of weeks, Lacker surprised his bride with the ring, in the King’s private office with Elvis proudly looking on.

Vallee performs free shows at Bill’s at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

For more information, go to www.BigElvis.biz.